1.   Both Democratic and Republican leaders predicted that they would gain gubernatorial seats next year.

2.   Business leaders predict that thousands of firms will close, leading to rampant unemployment.

3.   Business leaders predict the opposite outcome.

4.   But several Republican leaders predict that the net effect will be marginal because they expect Cuomo to win a heavy majority in New York City anyway.

5.   But Tory leaders confidently predict that Worcester Woman will rescue them from defeat.

6.   Civic leaders predicted a downtown renaissance that would include new museums, a community college and thousands of hotel rooms and apartments.

7.   Even if a socialist once again gains the presidential palace, history is on the side of continuity, business leaders predict.

8.   Farm leaders predict the government could slash flue-cured allotments by as much as a third.

9.   GOP leaders also predicted House and Senate votes by Friday and Saturday on their huge seven-year balanced-budget bill.

10.   However, lawmakers are having trouble agreeing on the issue, and some Republican leaders have predicted that Congress may only approve a limited measure that increases tobacco taxes.